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Those were the last words of James Maitland Stewart, who was born in Indiana PA on May 20, 1908. A shy young man, he was fascinated by early airplanes and considered signing up for the military, but was discouraged by his father, who urged him to attend college instead. At Princeton (BA–Architecture–1929), the young James Stewart discovered acting, and one of his careers was set. And this time, his father couldn’t dissuade him from his chosen path:
He remained in the Reserves for another twenty-three years, ending his military career as a Brigadier General, and for the rest of his film career insisted that neither the films themselves nor the studios that produced them, could use his war record to promote them in any way. He also refused to speak publicly about his experiences himself, and turned down roles which depicted him as a member of the military, saying “They’re just hardly ever the way it really is.” In 1966, not long before he retired from the Air Force, he flew his 
Great tribute!
Wonderful! As a fellow Tiger, Jimmy Stewart was always an interest of mine. Some years ago my wife and I watched almost all of his films. He was a wonderful actor, so friendly and accessible and downright likeable.
My uncle was a B-24 Liberator pilot. He was raised in Clyde Pennsylvania about 20 or so miles from Indiana Pennsylvania. When he died my siblings and I inherited his earthly possessions. He had never married and to the best of anyone’s knowledge never had children. Among other things I inherited a bunch of pictures. One picture was my uncle sitting on a stool in uniform with Jimmy standing next to him in civil clothes. The picture has nothing written on the back and is undated. My uncle never mentioned the picture nor Jimmy Stewart. Everyone who might know about it is long gone. I have it in a box in the garage. If I can find it today I will try to add it to your post. I really should display it just for a conversation piece. I have a feeling it might have been publicity picture for what I don’t know. They were in England at the same time but not in the same Air Wing.
What a wonderful story! And yes, if you can dig up the photo, please share it with us.
Thank you for posting this heartfelt and timely tribute to a true American hero, husband, and father. Well done!
Jimmy and Gloria Stewart were occasionally guests on The Jack Benny TV show, and those are in my opinion some of the funniest episodes.
SPOILER ALERT!
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That’s why my wife and I never suspected he was the murderer in After the Thin Man.
I can’t seem to find it right now but there is a wonderful clip of Jimmy on Johnny Carson reading a poem about his dog. Be prepared to cry if you find it. Found it on YouTube, just search Jimmy Stewart.
Outstanding post, @she!
You know, the great George Gobel was a flight instructor, too. He recounts his experience in this Tonight Show clip – widely-considered one of television’s funniest moments. (Gobel doesn’t come on till about the 15-minute mark, but Johnny, Bob Hope, and a surprise appearance by Dean Martin make the wait worthwhile.)
If you find it, please post it with his name and I’ll check with some historians about it.
Yup. Jimmy was never a very believable Bad Guy.
A classic! Lonesome George Gobel’s one liner “the world was a tuxedo . . .” is da bomb!
I just touched every box in my garage and no luck. We have moved three times since I last saw it so I’ll have to do a deep dive. Thanks for the offer. That would be interesting. BTW his name was James Martin Thomas. He retired in either 73 or 74 as a Colonel flying up to the last day. He switched to fighter jets for three years in Korea and two tours in Vietnam.
The Stewarts and the Bennys were neighbors on Roxbury Drive (along with Lucille Ball, Ira Gershwin among others).
As for Stewart’s father, he may have been aghast as Jimmy chose show business but that didn’t stop the elder Stewart from permanently displaying his son’s Academy Award in the window of the family hardware store.
Stewart was often in the company of his friend Ronald Reagan. On the campaign trail, Reagan kept referring to his friend as “Major General James Stewart.” Even after someone pointed out to him that Stewart was only a Brigadier, Reagan persisted. Finally, Stewart had to set him straight.
”Ron,” he said, “that fellow tonight was right. It is brigadier general. I just never corrected you before because it sounded so good!”
I’m not posting anywhere near your post. I’ll wait for one that stinks up the place. I tease, Louise.
What a guy. They don’t make ‘em that way anymore.
Oh, I think they probably do. One just has to clear away, or ignore, the static.
We’ll wait. Hehe . . .
Had to watch – in tears laughing!
Gobel even joked about his flight instructor experience, priceless one-liners . . .
Jimmy Stewart was a great guy. I cannot add anything here, other than to repeat that this is a lovely tribute.
I saw this live, and it remains my favorite memory of Jimmy Stewart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=mwGnCIdHQH0&feature=emb_logo
Wow. I think what always gets me about Jimmy Stewart is his palpable honesty. I don’t think/can’t see a false note in him anywhere.
This is the Quote of the Day, and what a quotation it is from a man who led an extraordinary life. If you’d like to sign up for the Quote of the Day, go here.
Jimmy Stewart is one of my favorites and this is a wonderful write up. One small point – he did star in a WWII war movie as soldier. It was called “The Mountain Road” and he played an Army Engineer Major – the film was placed in China in 1944. And his military service started in Feb of 1941, well before Pearl Harbor and the US entry into the War. Regardless, I never pass up the opportunity to watch Stewart film when I see one come along…
Jimmy Stewart epitomized my belief that the best comedians are also brilliant at drama, whereas the reverse is rarely true.
And the June QotD Sign-Up Sheet is now available.
Also in Strategic Air Command (1955).
Thanks for the corrections. I see that now that I looked it up specifically. I thought I’d read he was drafted in December 1941 somewhere, but must have been thinking about someone else.And I didn’t know about The Mountain Road, which was made in 1960, and which is based on a Theodore H. White novel. Appreciate the info. (FWIW, the Wikipedia entry on the film refers to Stewart’s vow never to make a “war story” movie, but quotes his co-star Harry Morgan as saying that Stewart made the film because it was such a dark and somber view of war, along with a clear anti-war message. It does sound interesting.) Thanks again.
Yes, just wonderful!
I have only seen it once and it wasn’t exactly a John Wayne type of WWII film. But Stewart (as always) makes it worth watching.
My favorite story about Jimmy Stewart going to fly for the Army in WWII is that while his salary dropped from the thousands down to $21 per paycheck, he would still dutifully send 10% ($2.10) to his agent.